Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
