Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
