President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
