Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
