President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
