Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
