Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
