Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
