Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
