President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
