President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
