Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
