Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
