President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
