Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
