Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
