Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
