Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
