The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
