President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
