President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
