Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
