Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened similar use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
