Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
