President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
