President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
