The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
