President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
