President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
