President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
