Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
