President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Answer
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
