Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
