President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
