President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
