Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
