President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
