President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
