The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
