The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations 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," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
