President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
