President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
