Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar military action against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
