The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
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 trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
