President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
