President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
