The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
