President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and various associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
