Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
