President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
