The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
