Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
