The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
