President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
