Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
