Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
