Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
