The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
