President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member 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 creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
