The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
