The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
