The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
