The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
