President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
