Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
