Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
