Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
