President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
