Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
