President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
