Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
