President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
