The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
