President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.