Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
