Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
