The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
