President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
