Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
