President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
