The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
