President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
