Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
