The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
