President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
