President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
