President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the country 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 belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
