The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
