The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
