President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
