President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
