Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
