Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
