The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
