Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
