Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
