Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
