Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
