The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
