Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
