Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
