The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
