President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote 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, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
