President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.