President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
