The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
