Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
