President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
