Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
