Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
