Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
