Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
