The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
