President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
