The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
