The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
