Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
