President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
