Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
