Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
