President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
