The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
