Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
