Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces targeted 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 Tensions and Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
