The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
