Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
