Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
