Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
