The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new 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 swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
