The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "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, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
