President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
