Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
