The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, which many of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
