The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
