The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
