Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
