The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
