Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
