Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
