Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
