The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
