President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
