President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
