President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
