President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela to remove President 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.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
