Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
