President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
