Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
