President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
