Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although 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 in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
