President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
