The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
