President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
