The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
