President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
