The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
