Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
