The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
