Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
