President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
