The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
