The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
