President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
