Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
