President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
