President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
