President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
