President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
