Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
