Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
