The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
