Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
