President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
