The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
