The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
