The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
