Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
