President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened similar use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite 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 never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
