The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
