Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
