Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
