The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
