Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
