The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
