The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," 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 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
