President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
