The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
