President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
