The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
