The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
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 the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
