Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
