Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
