President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
