The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
