Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
