President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
