The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
