The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
