Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
