President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela 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
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
