President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
