Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
