President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
