Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
