Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
