The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing 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.
