Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
