Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
