Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
