Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth 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 was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
