The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
