President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
