The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, 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 his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
