Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats 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 governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, 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 nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
