Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
