Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
