President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
