President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
