The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
