Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
