President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
