Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
