President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
