Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
