President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
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 Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
