President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
