Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
