President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
