The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
