Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
