President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
