The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
