The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
