President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
