President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
