President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested similar military action against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
