President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
