Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
