Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
