President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
