The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
