President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
