The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
