Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
