The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
