Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
