President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
