Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
