President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
