The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
