President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
