President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
