Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
