Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
