Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
