The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
