The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
