President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
