President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
