President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
