The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
