President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
