The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
