Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
