President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
