President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
