President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
