President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
