President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
