Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
