The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
