The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
