President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics 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 in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
