Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
