Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
