Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
