Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
