President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
