President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
