President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
