The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
