Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous military action against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
