President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
