President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
