Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
