The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
