Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
