The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
