President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
