President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
