Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
