Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
