Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
