The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently 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 the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
