The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
