Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
