Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
