The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
