Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
