President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including 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 following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither 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 US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
