President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
