Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
