Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
