The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
