President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
