Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
