The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
