Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
