President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
