President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
