President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove 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.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
