The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
