Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
