President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous military action against Colombia, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
