The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
