President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar military action against Colombia, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
