President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
