President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.