Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
