The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
