The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
