The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened similar military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
