The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
