Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
