President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
