President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
