The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
