President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
