The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
