President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
