President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
