President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
