Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
