The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
