President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
