President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
