President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
