The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
