Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
