Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
