Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
