Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
