Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
