President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
