President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
