Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
