President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
