President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
