President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
