The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
