The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
