President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
