The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested similar military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
