President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
