Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
