President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
