President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, 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 and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
