Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
