President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.