Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
