President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
