President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
