Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
