The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
