Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
