Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
