President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
