The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
