Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as 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 trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
