The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
