President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
