Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump suggested similar military action against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
