President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
