Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
