The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
