The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
