Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
