The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
