Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
