President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested similar military action against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
