Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
