Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
