President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, 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 Strong Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
