President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
