Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement 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 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
