Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
