Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
