President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
