Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
