Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
