Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
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 political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
