President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
