Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
