Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
