Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
