Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
