Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
