President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
