The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
