The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
