President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which many of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
