Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
