President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
