President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
