President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
