The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
