Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
