Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
