President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, which many of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
