Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
