President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
