Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
