Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
