President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which many of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team 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 rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
