The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Answer
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
