Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
