President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
