Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
