President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Answer
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces 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.
