President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
