Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar military action against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
