The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
