Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
