The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
