President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
