Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new 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 pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
