President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
