Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
