Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
