President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
