President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
