Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
