The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
