The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
