President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
