The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
