Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
