Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
