President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
