President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
