The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
