The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
