President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
