Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
