President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
