Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
