Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
