President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
