The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
