President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
