President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested similar military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
