President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
