President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
