President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units struck 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 remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
