President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
