Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
