Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
