Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
