President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
