Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
