The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
