President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
