The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
