President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
