Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
