President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including 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 laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
