Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
