President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
