Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
