Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
