President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
