President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened similar military action against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
