President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
