President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
