Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
