President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
