President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
