The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
