President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
