The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
