The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
