Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar military action against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
