Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
