The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
