President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
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 have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
