Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
