The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
