Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
