Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
