The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
