Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
