President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
