Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
