Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
