The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
