President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
