The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
