Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
