President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar military action against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
