Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
