President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
