President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
