Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
