Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
