Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
