President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
