President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
