President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
