The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
