The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
