Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
