Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
